Does a band’s lyricist typically write melodies as well?

[Jericho-79]

I just discovered an underground band from my area that recently released an EP on indie record label. On that EP, I found something peculiar about the songwriting credits.

All the music is credited to the entire band, while all the lyrics AND all the melodies are credited to the band’s lead singer.

I thought that the creation of melodies (as well as harmonies, rhythms, riffs, and chord progressions) are part of the entirety of musical composition. And I thought that a band lyricist just generated the words.

How can a band have its lyricist credit himself with all the melodies?

How can a band’s lead singer come up with BOTH the lyrics and the melodies at the same time?

Isn’t musical composition considered a complete package consisting of melodies, harmonies, rhythms, riffs, and chord progressions?

If an entire band is credited with the musical composition, shouldn’t the whole band come up with all the melodies as well during the songwriting process?

Any professional songwriters here care to give some input?

[stiiiiiiive]

I just discovered an underground band from my area that recently released an EP on indie record label. On that EP, I found something peculiar about the songwriting credits.

Oh come on. Here we go

All the music is credited to the entire band, while all the lyrics AND all the melodies are credited to the band’s lead singer.

I thought that the creation of melodies (as well as harmonies, rhythms, riffs, and chord progressions) are part of the entirety of musical composition. And I thought that a band lyricist just generated the words.

How can a band have its lyricist credit himself with all the melodies?

Nowhere the word "lyricist"is written in what you provided as an excerpt of the credits. you are the one who called the guy lyricist and you are the one who thinks a lyricist cannot compose melodies and sing.

How can a band’s lead singer come up with BOTH the lyrics and the melodies at the same time?

Easy, look: I'm in a band. I write lyrics. I sing them on the melodies I compose myself. Sometimes the riff is mine, sometimes it's my mate's. What's the problem? Can't a guy write lyrics and sign them? Can't a car be also a vehicle? Can't a cooker also play piano? Can't a bird also walk?
I don't know if I'm a propoer lyricist, as in professional, or if I just happen to write lyrics (or maybe my englsh is not fine enough to get a subtlety here...)

Isn’t musical composition considered a complete package consisting of melodies, harmonies, rhythms, riffs, and chord progressions?

If an entire band is credited with the musical composition, shouldn’t the whole band come up with all the melodies as well during the songwriting process?

Any professional songwriters here care to give some input?

Well, I'm far to be professional in that I do not make money woth my music, but I think I have some experience now. I feel you're looking at it the wrong way: it's not "if a band is credited like this, should they do like that". It's more like "a band did that, and that is the way they credit themselves". Things happen. Words describe them as they can.

[RedLeo]

@stiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive

I think he's trolling. if you look at all his posts, they're suspiciously similar.

"How can singer also write lyrics?"

"How can a keyboard also be a synthesiser?"

I mean, really?

[Gustavo]

@red leo: Maybe he just wants to add some fervent discussion to the discussion board!

But to answer the question, yes and no. The lyricist can be part of the band and as such he could be making the melody. But the lyricist could also be someone who does not play in the band and basically that person just wrote a poem and the band makes a song to fit that poem.

Saludos,
Gustavo

[nsureit]

When we were kids in the 60s, we all thought Lennon wrote the lyrics and McCartney wrote the music. Nothing was farther from the truth. Each wrote lyrics and music equally. By agreement, they were credited for writing all the songs, whether one or the other participated or not.

Now, one can say Lennon wrote more sublime and esoteric lyrics, perhaps.